A couple of weeks back, we were happy to tell you about the movement afoot to get up a proper statue of Smokin’ Joe Frazier. Though Smokin’ Joe was a transplant, he made a life here — and oh, what a life it was — and wove himself into the very fabric of Philly iconography. So when we learned (courtesy this Newsworks story) that Philadelphians had thus far donated only $200 to the cause — minus the $25K that XFiniti Live, the statue’s eventual venue, had plunked down — we were shocked. But not as shocked as new-school Philly boxing torch-carrier Bernard Hopkins, who had this to say:

“This is not a boxing thing. This is a Joe Frazier thing. Even if we can’t say it to his face now, it’s a way to show our appreciation to a man who always embraced Philadelphia [...] I’m going to make this happen. It’s the right thing to do. He should be recognized [...]We’re not begging for money here. If I gotta do it [cover the remaining cost], I’m gonna do it. But, I want everybody to give five, 10, 20 dollars so they can say ‘I helped put that statue up.’ That’s not bragging. That’s showing respect. Candy sales. Stores like Geno’s and Pat’s [Steaks]. Anybody who Joe ever signed an autograph for. Now, is the time to give back.”

Translation: Cough it up, people. Or become a part of Bernard’s, er, training.